How to Grow and Mature Your Spiritual Gift

The Parable of Mara and the Lamp

Mara lived in a quiet village known for its lamp makers. On her sixteenth birthday, her grandfather handed her a small, unlit oil lamp. The lamp was beautifully crafted with golden patterns, but it was empty.

“This,” her grandfather said, “is a gift only you can tend. If you keep the flame alive, it will light your path in every season.”

Excited, Mara placed the lamp in her room. For days she admired it but never filled it with oil. One evening, a sudden storm knocked out the village lights. She reached for her lamp, but when she struck the flint, the wick caught fire only for a moment and died out.

Ashamed, she went back to her grandfather. He smiled and handed her a jar of oil. “The gift is yours, but without oil and daily tending, it remains a decoration instead of a light.”

From that day forward, Mara kept the lamp filled. She learned to trim the wick, shield the flame from the wind, and carry it with her at night. Soon, people in the village began to follow her light through dark paths, finding safety because she had learned to tend her flame.

Prophetic Declaration: I will keep the fire of my spiritual gift burning brightly, in the name of Jesus.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Parable

Like Mara’s lamp, your spiritual gift is precious, but it does not mature automatically. The Holy Spirit deposits it in you, but its growth depends on how you steward it.

Many believers receive spiritual gifts yet treat them as trophies, admired but unused. Without consistent use, prayer, and alignment with God, a gift remains dim. But when fed with the “oil” of intimacy, obedience, and training, it becomes a powerful tool for Kingdom impact.

Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV), “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…” The gift is given freely, but the responsibility to stir it is yours.

Prophetic Declaration: I will not bury my gift; I will fan it into flame, in the name of Jesus.

Understanding Spiritual Gifts

A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for the building of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). These are not natural talents, though God may pair them with talents for greater effect.

Examples include:

Prophecy

Word of Wisdom

Healing

Teaching (Spirit-empowered)

Discernment of Spirits

Faith

Evangelism

Every gift is meant to glorify Jesus, edify the Church, and advance the Gospel. But just as a child must grow into maturity, so must your gift.

Prophetic Declaration: My gift will fulfill its purpose in my generation, in the name of Jesus.

Why Growth is Necessary

1. Immaturity limits impact.

An untrained gift may lack accuracy, wisdom, or depth.

2. Growth sharpens discernment.

Maturity helps you use your gift in the right time, place, and way.

3. It increases your capacity.

Luke 16:10 shows that faithfulness with little leads to greater responsibility.

4. It protects against pride.

Maturity keeps you humble, knowing the gift is from God, not earned.

Prophetic Declaration: I will grow in grace, wisdom, and skill in my gift, in the name of Jesus.

Biblical Examples of Gift Maturity

1. Samuel

As a boy, Samuel heard God’s voice but did not recognize it (1 Samuel 3:7). Through mentorship from Eli, he matured into a prophet whose words never fell to the ground (v. 19).

2. Timothy

Timothy received a gift through the laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14) but had to be reminded to fan it into flame. His growth turned him into a trusted apostolic leader.

3. Jesus

Even Jesus, though perfect, grew in wisdom and stature before stepping fully into ministry (Luke 2:52).

Prophetic Declaration: My gift will move from infancy to maturity, in the name of Jesus.

How to Grow and Mature Your Spiritual Gift

1. Stay Connected to the Giver

Your gift flows from the Holy Spirit. Cut off from Him, and the flow dries up. Daily fellowship through prayer, worship, and Word study keeps your spirit tuned to His frequency.

Biblical Example: Samson’s strength was tied to his covenant with God. The moment he lost that intimacy, his gift was rendered powerless (Judges 16:20).

Practical Tip: Set a fixed daily devotion time. Even if it’s only 30 minutes, let it be quality and undistracted. Talk to God not just about ministry but also about your heart.

Prophetic Declaration: I will remain connected to the Source of my gift, in the name of Jesus.

2. Use the Gift Regularly

Like muscles, gifts grow through consistent use. Fear or inactivity causes them to weaken. God expects you to multiply what He has given you.

Biblical Example: In Matthew 25:14–30, the servant who hid his talent lost it. The ones who used theirs regularly doubled their portion.

Practical Tip: If you have the gift of teaching, teach in small groups. If you have the gift of healing, offer to pray for the sick in everyday settings. Consistency builds boldness.

Prophetic Declaration: I will not let fear silence my gift, in the name of Jesus.

3. Submit to Mentorship

A mentor provides guidance, correction, and opportunities to grow in safety. Without oversight, gifts can be misused or misunderstood.

Biblical Example: Elisha walked with Elijah, learning not only prophetic accuracy but also prophetic discipline. When the time came, he was ready to carry the mantle.

Practical Tip: Find someone seasoned in your gift area. Don’t just seek their praise, welcome their correction. Correction is proof of love and a path to refinement.

Prophetic Declaration: The right mentors will sharpen my gift, in the name of Jesus.

4. Study and Learn

Gifts must be grounded in Scripture to operate effectively. Studying protects you from error and equips you for greater influence.

Biblical Example: Apollos was mighty in Scripture but became even more effective after receiving deeper teaching from Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24–26).

Practical Tip: For prophecy, study the lives of biblical prophets. For healing, meditate on Jesus’ healing ministry in the Gospels. Attend seminars, read books, and learn from those ahead of you.

Prophetic Declaration: My understanding of my gift will deepen daily, in the name of Jesus.

5. Guard Your Purity

Your spiritual sensitivity is tied to your purity. Sin clouds discernment and dulls the operation of your gift.

Biblical Example: Balaam’s gift was real, but greed corrupted his calling (Numbers 22).

Practical Tip: Guard your heart from bitterness, lust, pride, and compromise. Stay quick to repent. Your gift may operate, but your reward in heaven depends on obedience and purity.

Prophetic Declaration: My vessel will remain pure for the Master’s use, in the name of Jesus.

6. Pray in the Spirit

Praying in tongues stirs up spiritual gifts and aligns you with God’s will. It builds your inner man so you can operate with power and clarity.

Biblical Example: Jude 1:20 instructs us to build ourselves up in our most holy faith by praying in the Spirit.

Practical Tip: Set aside dedicated time—10, 20, or 30 minutes, daily for praying in tongues. Keep a journal to record impressions, visions, or words that come during those moments.

Prophetic Declaration: My gift is being stirred as I pray in the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

Common Mistakes in Growing Your Spiritual Gift

Growing in your spiritual gift is not just about what you do, it’s also about what you avoid. Many believers start well but get hindered by subtle traps that slow or even halt their growth.

1. Comparing Your Gift to Others

Comparison breeds either pride or discouragement. Your gift is unique, and God measures you against your assignment, not another person’s.

Scripture: Galatians 6:4 — “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone…”

Prophetic Declaration: I will run my race without comparison, in the name of Jesus.

2. Rushing into Public Ministry Too Soon

Some operate their gift in public before it is mature, leading to avoidable mistakes. Even Jesus waited until the appointed time to begin His ministry (Luke 3:23).

Tip: Let your gift first grow in the secret place before it is displayed on the big stage.

Prophetic Declaration: I will wait for God’s appointed time to fully manifest my gift, in the name of Jesus.

3. Using the Gift for Self-Promotion

When the focus shifts from Christ to self, the anointing is grieved. Gifts are tools for service, not platforms for ego.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10 — “Use whatever gift you have received to serve others…”

Prophetic Declaration: My gift will always point men to Jesus, in the name of Jesus.

4. Neglecting Rest and Balance

Overusing your gift without replenishing spiritually and physically leads to burnout. Jesus withdrew often to pray and rest (Mark 6:31).

Tip: Guard time for personal renewal; the stronger your spirit, the sharper your gift.

Prophetic Declaration: I will grow in my gift without burning out, in the name of Jesus.

Signs Your Gift is Maturing

Greater accuracy and discernment

Increasing testimonies from its operation

Greater humility and reliance on God

Ability to operate under pressure without fear

Fruit of the Spirit evident alongside the gift

Prophetic Declaration: My gift will bear fruit that glorifies Jesus, in the name of Jesus.

Dangers of Neglecting Your Gift

1. It grows dormant. (Matthew 25:28 — the parable of the talent)

2. Opportunities are missed.

3. You may fall into pride or misuse.

4. Others suffer loss because your gift is meant to bless the Body.

Prophetic Declaration: I will not bury or misuse my gift, in the name of Jesus.

Practical Exercises to Develop Your Gift

Keep a gift journal for revelations, visions, or testimonies.

Set monthly growth goals (e.g., minister in a small group once a month).

Review biblical examples related to your gift.

Practice in safe environments before wider ministry.

Prophetic Declaration: My gift will be sharpened through discipline and practice, in the name of Jesus.

Guarding Your Gift for the Long Run

Growing your gift is not a sprint; it is a lifelong journey. Guard against burnout by balancing ministry with rest. Surround yourself with believers who will pray for you, not just praise you.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23 –“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Prophetic Declaration: My gift will not be extinguished by weariness, in the name of Jesus.

Final Takeaway

Your spiritual gift is God’s deposit in you, but its growth is your responsibility. Stay connected to the Giver, use it boldly, learn continually, and keep your vessel pure. In doing so, you will see your gift mature into a mighty weapon for the Kingdom.

Action Step

This week, choose one deliberate action to grow your gift:

Pray in tongues 30 minutes daily.

Read a book or scripture series on your gift.

Offer to serve in an area that uses your gift.

Ask a mentor for feedback and guidance.

Prophetic Declaration: I will grow, mature, and multiply my spiritual gift for Kingdom impact, in the name of Jesus.